Action Alert: Vote, Call Congress and Join Us This May
- Indivisible NEO
- May 6
- 5 min read
Today is Primary day and there's still a couple of hours to get to the polls! Still need help comparing the candidates in your county? Review our Primary Voter Guide for Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Summit counties. It's full of helpful information so you're prepared to vote for the candidates who represent your values.
This past week came with both ups and downs. On a positive note, let's take a moment to celebrate what we can accomplish together. The results of May Day are impressive, with thousands of rallies, protests and marches all over the country embracing the call of No Work, No School, No Shopping.
Here in Cleveland, hundreds gathered for an inspiring lineup of speakers, musical performances and an energizing march through downtown. We want to thank the InterReligious Task Force on Central America and the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless for leading a coalition of over three dozen social justice, community and labor organizations to make May Day Cleveland possible. It was truly a beautiful day that centered the voices of working people from all backgrounds and fueled us for the continued fight ahead. For a video recap, click here.
And, while you're there, follow our new public Instagram page!
On a less positive note, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, a devastating blow to American democracy. And while this definitely sets us back, there will be many fights in the coming weeks, months and years, and we're here to share ways we can tap into those fights and help. A quote from John Lewis reminds us that, "Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at piece with itself." There is still work to do and we are here, ready to get our hands dirty.
One simple action we recommend taking - sign up for Indivisible's Election Protection effort in anticipation of the 2026 general election. Once you sign up, you'll be notified of strategic updates via email and text, training opportunities and critical calls to action during key election protection moments in Ohio.
Action List
Let Congress know you oppose anymore tax dollars going to ICE
Republicans are working on a reconciliation bill that would give ICE and Border Patrol up to $140 billion more to fund concentration camps and militarized deployments to US cities. Call your senators and representatives now and tell them no more money to ICE. You can email them too!
Keep telling Congress to end the illegal war in Iran
Trump's regime ignored the 60-day deadline for getting congressional authorization for the attack on Iran, defying congressional authority yet again. It's time for Congress to take their power back and use the War Powers Resolution to end this war. Tell your members of Congress that they must act to end this war that Trump and Israel launched or blood is on their hands too. Send an email through the link, then call your senators and representatives.
If you participated in May Day, let Indivisible National know
Determining the economic disruption of May Day is hard to quantify. Fill out the Indivisible National survey on what you did to participate, so we can gauge our capacity to wield economic power in future calls to action. Complete the survey here.
Mark your calendars for our Summer Together Series
This summer, we're slowing down to solidify our foundation; shifting our focus towards the relationships, skills and knowledge that fuel lasting change.
Our programming over the next few months will emphasize getting to know one another, sharpening our organizing skills and opening the door for more people to step into leadership. Meetings will continue, but the spotlight is on learning together.
We’re also adding social gatherings at local businesses that share our values and have supported our movement in the past. Think of them as cash mobs meet community socials.
And true to the NEO in our name, events will be spread across greater Cleveland with some virtual options so that everyone in our community can show up and participate.
We’ll be kicking off our Summer programming on Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. with a Teach-In featuring the Ohio Democracy Project. Join us for a discussion on the kinds of collective, strategic actions we can take to combat democratic backsliding and rising authoritarianism. We'll explore approaches ranging from symbolic actions (like protests) to noncooperation (like strikes and boycotts), as well as the forms of mutual aid that make sustained action possible. Register here or just show up!
Read "No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age" and then join our virtual book club
May 19 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
There is still time to join our book club. We'll be meeting via Zoom for a relaxed discussion on the book. All are welcome. This event was inspired by a book suggestion from a member (Thank you Carol!) and we're looking forward to making this the first of many readings together. For more information, click here.
March with us in the Cleveland Pride (and help show off the Preamble)
June 6
You might have heard about the We the People of Ohio tour, led by our dynamic Arts Committee and featuring a giant hand-painted original artwork of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Its multi-city tour of Ohio will be capped off at the Pride in the CLE parade on June 6, after which it heads to Washington D.C. for July 4th.
To pull this off, we need a ton of volunteers to carry the banner, hold the poles, set up our space on the Mall at the end of the route and bring the energy. Whether you want a physical role or just want to march alongside us in costume or with props, there's a place for you.
Marching in a pride parade, especially Pride in the CLE,. is hands down one of the most joyful and inspiring experiences you’ll ever have.
Help us make history by bringing this incredible work of art to Pride in the CLE while soaking up some much needed joy and optimism along the way. To learn more, click here.
Oppose Ohio HB 486 - the Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act
This bill is moving quickly through the Ohio Statehouse. The Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act bill urges public schools and universities to teach about the positive impacts of Christianity on American society. The main issue with this bill, although there are many, is that it openly focuses on promoting one religion over another. HB 486 has already passed the House. Now it's receiving hearings in the Senate Education Committee. This Substack provides a lot of great additional information if you want to read more. Call or email Committee Chair Andrew Brenner and tell him to not give HB 486 any additional hearings.
Photo of the week | May Day
We close with a photo of the week from the May Day Cleveland march - a reminder that our struggles are connected and so are we.
